Actress Catherine O'Hara dies at 71
O'Hara, known for iconic films like "Beetlejuice" and "Home Alone," has died.
Actress Catherine O'Hara has died. She was 71.
The Emmy Award winner was known best for her roles in beloved shows and films like "Schitt's Creek," "Beetlejuice" and "Home Alone."
O'Hara's manager confirmed the news of her death Friday. Details surrounding her death are not known.
O'Hara's long career saw her take on more than 100 roles across TV and film, most recently scoring accolades for her role in the comedy series "Schitt's Creek" as Moira Rose, a grandiose actress who is blissfully detached from reality.
Her portrayal of Moira in "Schitt's Creek" -- which also starred Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy -- earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020, as well as a Golden Globe in 2021.
Macaulay Culkin and others react to Catherine O'Hara's death
Macaulay Culkin wrote a heartfelt tribute to his "Home Alone" movie mom on Instagram.
"Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later."
Pedro Pascal paid tribute to O'Hara, featuring a photo of the two on the set of season 2 of "The Last of Us."
"Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always ," Pascal wrote in the accompanying caption. "The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara."
Justin Theroux, who co-starred in 2024's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," with O'Hara -- who reprised her role as Delia Deetz from the original 1988 "Beetlejuice" film -- shared an Instagram photo of a director's chair with O'Hara's name on set.
"Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed," Theroux captioned the photo.
Paul Walter Hauser remembered O'Hara as an iconic and memorable performer in an Instagram tribute.
"She was my Meryl Streep. I could watch her in anything," Hauser wrote. "Didn't matter how good or bad the film or show was. I wanted to see what she would do. SCTV, After Hours, Beetlejuice, Home Alone 1 & 2, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Schitt's Creek, The Studio. Not sure I can process or fathom that she's gone but I am so grateful for the work she did and how she kept such a flawless reputation in a very sketchy and checkered business."
"A freaking angel just went home to Heaven," he added, "And she's not home alone."
Catherine O'Hara's most memorable roles
O'Hara became a household name for her many iconic TV and film roles over the years, earning critical and fan acclaim alike.
"I've played a few kind of delusional characters, and it's really fun. I think maybe I am drawn to that because -- it's a fact -- we're all delusional," O'Hara told Variety in March 2025 about her roles throughout her career, later adding, "I guess I like tapping into that -- how we try to control ourselves."
At the time of her death, O'Hara had a recurring role in the Emmy-winning comedy series "The Studio."
Take a look back at some of her most iconic roles throughout her decadeslong career.
"Home Alone"
O'Hara played Kate McAllister, the mom of Kevin McAllister, portrayed by Culkin, in the hit 1990 movie "Home Alone."
O'Hara's character famously made a treacherous trip home after she and her husband discovered they'd left their son at their house alone on a Christmas family vacation to Paris.
"Schitt's Creek"
O'Hara won an Emmy in 2020 for her role as Moira Rose in the TV comedy "Schitt's Creek."
One of O'Hara's earlier roles came in the 1988 film "Beetlejuice," in which she played Delia Deetz, the stepmother of Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder.
It was on the set of "Beetlejuice" that O'Hara met her longtime husband, Bo Welch, who was a production designer on the film, according to People.
"The Studio"
O'Hara was Emmy-nominated for her role as Patty Leigh in "The Studio," an Apple TV series that stars Seth Rogen as a Hollywood studio head.
The role also earned O'Hara a 2026 Actor Award nomination for outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series.
"Best in Show"
"Best in Show" was one of O'Hara's many collaborations with Christopher Guest, who also directed her in other mockumentary films, including "For Your Consideration," "Waiting for Guffman" and "A Mighty Wind."
In "Best in Show," O'Hara starred alongside Levy as Cookie Fleck, an iconic character in the movie about the world of dog shows.
